As the political situation in Thailand worsens with deaths on Bangkok 's streets this week , CNN takes a look at the root causes of the protests , and what the latest developments might mean for the country 's political future .

Who is protesting and why ?

Unlike the 2010 protests , which saw red-shirted supporters of ousted Prime Minister Thaksin Shinawatra turn out in force , this time around it is opponents of his younger sister Yingluck Shinawatra 's government who are protesting in the capital .

As with previous protests , the country is largely divided between a younger , educated urban middle-class and a conservative class of poor rural voters , largely from the north of the country . It is the former group who have taken to the streets and are currently battling the police after months of deepening political division .

The protestors , led by Suthep Thaugsuban -- a deputy prime minister in the previous Abhisit Vejjajiva-led government -- rejected YIngluck 's poll in early February and are calling for the creation of an unelected `` people 's council '' headed by a premier appointed by Thailand 's king .

What triggered the current crisis ?

Yingluck 's prime ministership was largely stable until her party attempted to pass a controversial amnesty bill in November .

The bill would have nullified former Prime Minister Thaksin 's corruption conviction and would have allowed him to return to the country . The policeman-turned-tycoon has been living in exile in a number of different locations , most recently Dubai , since he was removed in a bloodless coup in 2006 .

He briefly returned to Thailand in 2008 . Later that year , he was convicted by a Thai court of corruption and sentenced in absentia to two years in prison over a controversial land deal . Courts have also frozen billions of dollars of his assets , but he is believed to still have a great deal of money held elsewhere .

What is Thaksin 's role in the current crisis ?

While he technically plays no part in the current political situation , the deeply-divisive Thaksin is never far from the heart of Thai politics , communicating with supporters via social media and video messages . With his younger sister in power since 2011 , his influence remains strong . Critics say Yingluck is Thaksin 's proxy but she insists she has always been independent .

The current protests were sparked by attempts by her government to enact the amnesty law that opponents said was designed to protect him and others , facilitating his return to the country -- and ultimately , to an active role in Thai politics .

Why are Thai protests in the news so often ?

The country has had a restive history since the dissolution of its absolute monarchy in 1932 . There have been a dozen military coups d'etat over the years , most notably in 1947 , and again in the 1970s , which led to the creation of a new constitution . The most recent military coup was in 2006 , which led to the ouster of Thaksin .

Civilian rule was restored with a Thaksin-linked civilian government in charge but protests in 2008 -- including the blockade of the capital 's airports -- eventually led to the creation of a coalition government . 2009-10 saw pro-Thaksin supporters , known as the red shirts , take to the streets and demand fresh elections , eventually leading to Yingluck 's election -- which brings us to the current situation .

What impact did the February 2 election have ?

Under pressure , Yingluck dissolved parliament and called for new elections at the beginning of February . These were disrupted by protestors , particularly in the capital and in the south of the country .

Ahead of the elections , Suthep -- the leader of the protests -- urged his supporters to boycott the poll and recently petitioned the Constitutional Court to annul the election . They were not successful and while the results are still in doubt , the country is being ruled by an interim government headed by Yingluck , but one that lacks absolute authority .

What role is the Thai king playing in all this ?

Despite the turbulent nature of Thailand 's democratic political scene the country is home to the world 's longest-serving monarch . Bhumibol Adulyadej , aged 86 , is universally revered in Thailand but prefers to remain ostensibly neutral in matters of government , although he called for national unity in his birthday speech in December .

What caused the latest flare-up ?

After a period of relative calm -- and a feeling that appetite for the protests was dying down -- trouble has flared up again this week as police in the capital tried to reclaim official government sites occupied by protestors . Reacting to the attempted eviction , around 6,000 demonstrators were estimated to be on the streets of the city Tuesday .

An outbreak of violence that day saw five people -- including at least two protestors and a police office -- killed in central Bangkok . Following police action in which tear gas was fired in an attempt to disperse crowds of demonstrators in the streets , people among the protesters began firing guns at police , who responded with both rubber bullets and live fire .

15,000 police are said to have been mobilized in the latest operations . Seventy-three people -- both police officers and opposition supporters -- have been wounded in recent clashes .

Will the military step in ?

Up until now the military has resisted calls from the protestors to intervene on their behalf , and it seems that its current leadership lacks the appetite for regime change . However , the country 's army chief , General Prayuth Chan-ocha , has not ruled out the possibility that the military will intervene if violence on the streets of Bangkok worsens .

What 's the story with the rice-pledging scheme ?

The political crisis took on a new twist when a subsidy program that benefited rice farmers -- part of Yingluck 's base -- was decried as corrupt by opposition leaders . The scheme was a centerpiece of Yingluck 's election platform and has been beset with payment problems .

Yingluck criticized her opponents for politicizing the issue , but this week the country 's National Anti-Corruption Commission -LRB- NACC -RRB- announced their decision to charge her with `` dereliction of duty , '' which could have serious implications for her retention of the premiership .

She is expected to answer the charge on February 27 , according to the Bangkok Post .

Is Thailand safe ?

In the run-up to the elections several countries issued travel advisories for tourists and in the wake of this week 's fatalities it is likely that these precautions will be used more frequently .

Reports of office closures in Bangkok on Tuesday and Wednesday have been received by CNN as the situation on the ground escalates .

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Escalating violence in Bangkok as five confirmed dead on Tuesday

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Disputed election at beginning of February did little to pacify opposition

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Military refuses to rule out intervention in face of worsening violence

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Embattled interim PM Yingluck Shinawatra to be investigated over rice subsidies